LYNDORA — Allison Park Church, which has three locations in Allison Park, Russellton and Ambridge, plans to open a fourth campus in Lyndora on Sept. 17.

The church will meet in American Legion Post 778, 150 Legion Memorial Lane, with services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. every Sunday.

Right now Pastor Gregg Jacobs, who will head the new church, and Pete Moorey, a member of the church launch team, have been busy conducting practice services and getting word out about the new church via signs and mass postcard mailings.

Jacobs, a resident of Valencia for 13 years, said the church picked him to head up the effort because he'd gotten “too old and too fat” to remain as youth pastor, his old position.

He will serve as pastor at this location.

“I love the Butler community and the people of Butler. We want to serve the communities of Lyndora and Butler in any way we can,” he said. “We're excited to share God's love and make a positive impact.”

Moorey, who has been with the church five years, moved to Connoquenessing in October.

He said he sees planting a new church in Butler County as a calling.

'I just saw this was a beautiful, beautiful community with a lot of character that was slowly dying,” said Moorey.

Moorey said, “God has a purpose for you. If you don't follow that purpose it's like there's a hole in your soul.

“It's being part of something greater than myself. I am humbled that they would ever want me to do it,” Moorey said.

Jacobs said the Legion post was picked when plans to open in a strip mall fell through.

“The church is not the building,” Jacobs said, “It is the congregation that makes the church.”

He said the church is accepting of anyone and everyone.

“We are affiliated with the Assemblies of God,” Jacobs said. “But 70 (percent) to 80 percent of the church doesn't realize that. We don't hide it and we are not ashamed of it.

“Everybody's welcome, no matter where your life is or what you have done,” said Moorey. “Age, gender, social status, race, if you come here you will feel loved.”

“It's a Bible-based church. Every sermon comes straight from the Scriptures,” said Moorey. “The minister can show you how that can be applied to your life.”

Jacobs said the church hopes to attract 300 people to its initial 9:30 a.m. service Sept. 17.

Moorey said, “We have been working hard getting this set up. We've had practice services. We have our own band for the worship service.

“We have the Kidzone, a separate area for children with its own pastor, Melissa Campbell,” he said. There will also be rooms set up as a nursery and preschool at the Legion.

Jacobs said the church hopes to have small men's, women's and mixed groups that will meet in people's homes or public spaces such as the library

Jeff Leake, lead pastor of Allison Park Church, said, “We care about each individual and want them to know God has a plan and purpose for their lives.

“We have a particular calling as a church to reach the next generation and see young people who love God and are engaged in making a difference in their communities and the world,” said Leake.

Allison Park Church was founded in 1966 in Hampton Township. In 2012, the church added its second location in Russellton, followed by its third location in Ambridge in 2015. The church has nearly 3,000 members at its different campuses.

As for its latest campus, Jacobs said, “We are offering them a church experience where they can belong and feel welcomed.

“They can come and experience the church and walk away encouraged,” Jacobs said.

For more information, visit www.allisonparkchurch.com/visit/butler-campus.